Manchester City academy star receives unique one-to-one coaching advice from Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided specific one-to-one coaching to Josh Wilson-Esbrand during the Blues’ pre-season tour of the United States.

The 21-year-old has featured throughout Manchester City’s opening three pre-season fixtures in the United States this summer, starting matches against both Celtic and FC Barcelona, as well as featuring against AC Milan at the Yankee Stadium in New York City.

Wilson-Esbrand started Tuesday’s penalty shoot-out defeat to Barcelona at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, after a 2-2 draw between Manchester City and the La Liga heavyweights, following equalising goals from both Nico O’Reilly and Jack Grealish.

The London-born defender spent time at both Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship and at French top-flight club Stade de Reims last season, making 11 appearances for both clubs across their respective league campaigns.

The full-back also previously spent time away from the Etihad Stadium with Coventry City, and has made three previous first-team appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, making his debut against Wycombe Wanderers in September 2021.

Wilson-Esbrand also featured twice during Manchester City’s triumphant Champions League campaign during the 2022/23 season, playing against both Sevilla and FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium.

The England Under-21 international primarily plays at left-back, and has been the subject of one-to-one coaching from Guardiola during the current four-match tour of the USA, as the full-back discovers the defensive demands of the Catalonian coach.

Jack Gaughan reports that the 21-year-old has been receiving coaching from Guardiola about how to migrate into central midfield and push towards the end of the box from his left-back position while training in the USA.

Wilson-Esbrand is part of a contingent from the City Football Academy to be provided with the chance to travel with the Manchester City first-team squad for pre-season this summer.